Favorite Fall Recipes....

[lighter]

One of the children's favorite recipes.... so much fun to make and not hard.....

is an APPLE DUMPLING that looks like an apple: )

You need:

Apples (I prefer Granny Smith)

Pie Crust.... the store bought tastes great, is quick and already rolled out for ya.  The boxed variety in fridge section comes rolled up and ready to go.

Currants if desired..... just mix into sugar cinnament blend below

Sugar and cinammon blend.... with a bit of salt MMMMmmmmm

Butter

apple juice


Pre heat oven 350 degrees

peel and core apples

sit apple on dough...... enough to wrap apple in completely

fill empty core with sugar and cinammon mixture... mix currants in if desired before filling

dab a little butter on top

cover apple in pastry and smooth out overlaps etc

cut out leaves and decorate them with back of butter knife or fork or whatever way you desire

wet backs of leaves and apply to apple.... make a stem too.... take as much time as you like and go wild

Bake for as long as it takes..... depending on size of apple... between 10 and 40 minutes..... basting with apple juice every once in a while.

it's done just when apple begins to crumble but don't let it! 

I make this one for the girls' school bake sale and wrap in white freezer paper with think holiday ribbon.  SOOOO PRETTY and special. Always gets sold right off the bat.

What a beautiful dessert for entertaining!  Everyone can make their own if they care to spend time in the kitchen with each other.  Very nice.

I might try making them to look like Jack-O-lanters this year.

I guess the girls can make what they want with them!

[Iphi]

Say, how many apples do you get out of one of those store bought crusts?  I have 2 of those in the fridge right now.  Oh and do some kinds of apples work better than others?

Okay here's mine:

1.  buy a can of squash soup and heat it up (okay you can make it from scratch if you want)
2.  when hot and in serving bowls/ soup bowls, sprinkle in a generous helping of feta cheese
3.  add your choice of: pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and/or walnuts or pecans
4.  optional sprinkle with cinnamon

Outrageously good.  No, really!

[Ami]

Dear Iphi
  Yours "sounds " gross   BUT it is probably one of those "weird" combinations which is dynamite-----Right?---- --like peanut butter and banana's.  I am going to try it.
  Thank  Iphi.
                                                                                                                                                           Lighter  yours sounds so great for company for me--.It must smell out of this world. Thanks.Lighter
                                                                                           Love   Ami

[Iphi]

I think it is yum -- oh don't use the salty kind of feta cheese - too salty.   

[gratitude28]

Cook some garlic in with the soup and that sounds even more yummy.
(((((((((((((all)))))))))))))
Love, Beth

[Certain Hope]

You guys are da bomb! 

Been just cookin the basics for so long, I don't have nuthin to contribute right now  but this is wonderful inspiration!
Never have had squash soup, but saw a commercial for it on tv recently and it does sound really nummy... complete with garlic and... I love feta! Thanks, Iphi 

Lighter, I think my 2 kidlings would love making those snazzy apples here with me... sounds like a great Sunday afternoon adventure!
This is a great idea for a thread... really makes me  ... and feel warm and cozy!  Thanks!!

((((((((Lighter and all)))))))))

Love,
Carolyn

[lighter]

::Grooooaaaan::

Iphi.... when I got to the crunchy items.... I was sold!

MMMMmm I adore squash soup!

Hope...... the first time I make these dumplings I was on a couples vacation, in a woodsy cabin, around fall and the mountains!  We were like little kids in the kitchen... very much fun. 

Now.... the kids adore making them and some adults still enjoy getting in there and making their own.

Someone just has to get the ball rolling, plan shop and announce that's what's happening though.... usually me; )

[Ami]

I have a recipe that is so good that I made it for people and before they came,I had eaten half of it.
It is super easy to make so it is good  if company"drops"in.
  You get Mozarella (sp?)cheese and cut it in cubes. You cut tomatoes up. Then you get fresh basil and chop it up. Put olive oil and salt on top of it all  .Let it sit for an hour to blend.(You can use parsley if you don't have basil.I never had basil so I only tried it with parsley.)                                        Ami

[teartracks]

Mexican Style Bean Dip

1 - can refried beans  (14 oz. plus or minus size can)

1 - pound ground beef cooked and drained

1 - can black beans drained (14 oz. plus or minus size can)

1 - large chopped fresh tomato

1 - medium onion chopped

3/4  - cup chopped or sliced  black olives

1 -  tablespoon jalapeno pepper sliced thin

3/4 - cup shredded cheddar or Colby cheese

1 tablespoon jalapeno pepper sliced thin

Start with first ingredient then layer each ingredient one after the other in an 11 X 7 X 1.5 inch (or medium sized) baking dish.

Bake at 350 degrees until edges bubble and its nice and hot, abut 30 40 minutes.

Serve with Tostita chips and sour cream. 

[lighter]

Ya know.... don't ever underestimate the power of the yummy Mexican 7 layer dip to get completely snarfed at any gathering: )

I never remember this one but it's always popular and always YUMMY!


Ami... on the mozzarella cheese and tomatoes..... love it.

I think I'd make it more if I did just cut it up and serve it that way without all the stacking I learned from the food absorbed Italian In laws.

I usually buy the big round fresh mozzarella cheeses and slice them up, put a fresh basil leaf on top then a slice of unrefrigerated tomato.... then dress with a balsamic dressing made with a dallop of vidalia onion relish..... who the heck has time for all that? 

It is terrific and just putting it in a bowl and having it makes it means I get to eat it more often; )   

[Iphi]

re: mozzarella tomato basil salad - I was thinking you could just get mozzarella balls, grape or cherry tomatoes and mix them with a jar of basil pesto....

[lighter]

re: mozzarella tomato basil salad - I was thinking you could just get mozzarella balls, grape or cherry tomatoes and mix them with a jar of basil pesto....

Yup yup yup.... that would even look pretty fancy too... and save on getting hands icky: )

[Poppy Seed]

Ok.  Here is my favorite Autumn soup.  It is wonderful hot or cold -- I prefer hot.  And wonderful with cornbread or bread sticks.

TOMATO BISQUE

2 sticks of butter
1 c celery diced
1 c yellow onion diced
1 c carrots diced
1/3 c flour
2 c diced tomatoes (best to used canned or bottled with the juice. )
4 c chicken broth
1/2 tsp curry powder
1/4 tsp white pepper
1/3 tsp paprika
1 tsp basil
1 tsp marjorum
2 tsp sugar (can omit)
1 large bay leaf
1 pint of cream (can reduce)
salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter in large pot.  Saute carrots, onions, and celery until tender. A few minutes.  Add flour and mix two minutes.  Add chicken broth, tomatoes, sugar  and spices.  Bring to a boil.  Lower heat a bit and cook for about 20 minutes stirring occasionally.   Lower to sim.  Puree the mixture ( works best with an electric tool.  You can put it into a blender but it is very hot and kind of a pain.)  Make it as smooth or chunky as you like.   Add cream and s/p to the puree.  Simmer for a minute or two. Serve and enjoy.

Excellent for freezing.  Tastes better the next day.

[lighter]

I think I'd have to substitute dill for basil, marjoram and bay leaf: )

I just loooooove tomato dill soup!